There's more good news about Mediterranean diets and healthy living. It appears that eating a Mediterranean diet can slow brain aging and cognitive decline as well as possibly prevent the onset of Alzheimer's Disease. The results of a study recently published in the Archives of Neurology adds to a growing list of health benefits associated with following a Mediterranean diet including a reduction in cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and obesity.
Following the principles of the Mediterranean diet offers you more than just a heart-healthy way of eating. It's also a diet based around flavorful foods from a variety of countries, including Greece, Spain, Italy, Syria, Turkey and parts of North Africa. Where other diets might get you down with their restrictions, the Mediterranean diet plan provides you with a wealth of options that taste good and are good for you.
They're inexpensive and surprising good for you. Chickpeas are an excellent addition to the kitchen cabinet, not only because they're healthy, but because they're versatile. Adding chickpeas to soups, salads, as a side dish, or pureeing them into hummus are just a few of the ideas for these popular legumes. What are the health benefits of chickpeas?
Lentils are one of mankind's oldest foods. This simple plant based food dates back to Neolithic times and has been found in the tombs of the ancient Egyptians, where they may have been used for medicinal purposes. Originally cultivated in the near East, they're a food staple that's appreciated worldwide.
Olive oil is one of the healthiest fats around. Not only is it an excellent source of antioxidants, known as polyphenols, which help to protect against cell damage, but it's also rich in monounsaturated fats which reduces the risk of heart disease. In addition to its heart healthy benefits some studies are showing olive oil may lower the risk of certain types of cancer including colon and breast cancer. To get all of these amazing health benefits, it's important to choose a quality olive oil and know how to use it properly. Here's how to choose and use the healthiest olive oil.
The olive oils you see on your grocer's shelf can vary considerably in quality based on the designated grade or type of olive oil. Here's how to understand the different types of olive oil and make the choice that's best for your needs.
Low carb dieting may have lost some of its luster in recent years, but many people are still concerned about the type of carbs they eat which isn't necessarily a bad thing - particularly for diabetics. Simple carbohydrates such as white bread, white rice, and potatoes have a high glycemic index which causes a greater release of insulin than lower glycemic carbs like those found in green vegetables. This greater release of insulin is thought to promote fat storage - something most people don't want. Many people have the mistaken idea that grains are off limits if you're eating a low-glycemic diet, but nothing could be further from the truth. There are a variety of low-glycemic grains that can be part of a healthy eating plan. Here are some to consider.
If you eat Indian food on a regular base, you probably recognize the taste of the spice turmeric and recognize its brilliant yellow-orange color. This vibrantly colored spice is becoming increasingly known for being more than just a way to add flavor to food. The health benefits of turmeric are making this modest spice a rising star in the world of herbs and spices. Its use as a medicinal agent dates back to around 600 B.C. where it was used in Asia to treat a variety of gastrointestinal problems. Ancient wisdom must have been right on target since turmeric is being investigated for its effects on a variety of chronic disease including gastrointestinal diseases. What are some of the health benefits of turmeric?